Premier Ewing responds to story on Hon.Gardiner
Premier of the TCI, Dr.Rufus Ewing has responded to the news item concerning Hon. Gardiner.
The Premier said, 'There has been much discussion in the media and amongst residents concerning a recent firearm incident and the Minister of Immigration and Labour, Hon. Ricardo Don Hue Gardiner.
I wish to inform the public that a thorough investigation is ongoing to ascertain the realities of the incident and the extent of the involvement of the Honorable Minister, if any. The Office of the Premier is currently awaiting such official reports of the incident from the Commissioner of Police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution.
In the meantime it has been rumoured that the Honorable Minister of Immigration and Labour has been fired and/or has resigned from his post. Such rumours are false as the Minister has not tendered his resignation nor has the Premier asked for it to be tendered. We live in a country that must be governed by the rule of law and justice, and as such it is inappropriate for me to harbour any such requests before the investigations have been completed and recommendations have been made in the interest of Good Governance.
I must however reiterate my view which is that persons in public life, including members of Cabinet and of the legislative and Judicial arms of government, should conduct themselves throughout, in a manner that is befitting of the offices that they hold.'
Texas college stabbing: 14 injured, 2 in critical condition
Maya Khalil was shocked when she saw victims bleeding on the ground.
Moments before, the 19-year-old had been in class at the Lone Star College's CyFair campus outside Houston, Texas.
But after leaving class, Khalil watched her college campus turn into a crime scene on Tuesday.
"It was really scary," she told CNN.
Khalil snapped photos of the chaos as it unfolded, posting pictures on Twitter that showed a bandaged student on a stretcher and police and paramedics swarming the scene.
Hours later, Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia told reporters that 14 people were injured and two of them were in critical condition.
Authorities have detained the suspect, an approximately 21-year-old male enrolled at the school, Garcia said.
It was unclear what the suspect's motive was, or what weapon he used, Garcia said. The investigation is ongoing, he said.
"We do not know exactly what type of weapon was used other than to say that it is at this point an unknown instrument," he said. "We don't know whether a knife or some other type of instrument."
Garcia said a call came in to 911 Tuesday morning describing a "male on the loose stabbing people" at the Lone Star College's CyFair campus.
Most of the victims had lacerations in their head and neck areas, said Robert Rasa, a spokesman for the CyFair Volunteer Fire Department.
"We were literally going from building to building, room to room, looking for patients, setting up triage," he said.
The school was on lockdown Tuesday afternoon while authorities combed the campus to ensure no other injured people or attackers were there, Harris County sheriff's spokesman Alan Bernstein said.
While authorities investigated, teachers and students huddled together in locked rooms, said Marianna Sviland, a teacher at the college who was in a faculty workroom at the time of the stabbing.
"Outside the window, I saw cops running around, I saw students running and I realized something was going on," she said. "It was scary."
By2 p.m. (3 p.m. ET), students and staff were allowed to leave campus, Sviland said.
Details about the victim's injuries were unclear Tuesday afternoon.
Bernstein said it wasn't clear whether all of the injured people were stabbed.
"It's possible other people were running away" and became injured that way, he said.
Four injured victims "were in a dire enough situation that they were taken out on helicopters," Bernstein said.
"I do believe the confrontation was limited to a few (classrooms) or just one classroom -- not anybody roaming around and getting into a large number of areas," Bernstein said.
The school posted a warning on its website: "Stay away from the area. Seek shelter in a secure location until the incident is resolved."
Tuesday's incident comes more than two months after three people were wounded in a shooting at a different Lone Star College campus -- the North Harris campus in Houston.
Source-CNN
Beyonce, Jay-Z Cuba visit had U.S. Treasury Department OK - source
A visit by American pop star Beyonce and rapper husband Jay-Z to Havana last week was a cultural trip that was fully licensed by the U.S. Treasury Department, a source familiar with the itinerary said on Monday.
The longstanding U.S. trade embargo against Cuba prevents most Americans from traveling to the communist-led island without a license granted by the U.S. government.
Three Cuban-American members of Congress, all Republicans from Miami and supporters of a firm stance on Cuba, have asked the Treasury Department to look into the licensing of the trip, prompting officials to seek more information from the organizers.
Beyonce and Jay-Z celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary in Havana and were greeted by big crowds as they strolled through the Cuban capital. The music industry power couple were instantly recognized as celebrities despite the past half-century of ideological conflict that separates the two countries.
The source told Reuters that the trip included visits with Cuban artists and musicians, as well as several nightclubs where live music was performed, and some of the city's best privately run restaurants, known as "paladares."
The visit was planned as a "people-to-people" cultural visit and involved no meetings with Cuban officials, or typical tourist activity such as trips to the beach, the source said. Even a walk around the Old City of Havana, mobbed by crowds of excited Cuban spectators, was led by Miguel Coyula, one of the city's leading architects.
Publicists for the couple did not return emails or phone calls seeking comment.
Beyonce and Jay-Z were the latest American stars, joining actors Bill Murray, Sean Penn and James Caan who have also visited the Caribbean island in the past few years. But the pair were the first to cause such a stir everywhere they went.
The couple arrived in Havana unannounced for a four-day visit on Wednesday on a flight from Miami. But word of their presence spread like wildfire, by text messaging and word of mouth.
Beyonce, who sang at President Barack Obama's inauguration for his second term in January, was instantly recognized when she and Jay-Z, and their mothers, dined at La Guarida, the city's top privately run restaurant, on their first night.
The next day a crowd of several thousand people swarmed around them in Old Havana during a walk-about.
They also visited a children's theater group and several clubs where they heard live music, and occasionally took to the dance floor. On Friday, they toured Cuba's top art school and met with some young artists.
Source-Reuters
Thatcher's legacy in focus as UK plans funeral
A day after Margaret Thatcher's death, Britain's first female prime minister, preparations got under way for a funeral to rival those given to royalty -- a farewell welcomed by some in Britain but questioned by others.
The news of her death, which prompted an outpouring of reaction from world leaders, dominates British newspapers on Tuesday.
Pages of tributes and analysis throw up a raft of epithets: brave, great, fearless, pioneering -- but also divisive, destructive and uncaring.
What do you think about the loss of Britain's 'Iron lady'? Tell us
"The woman who saved Britain," is the Daily Mail headline. "Now give her a state funeral," it demands inside the covers, citing Conservative MPs who say she deserves the kind of honors in death usually reserved for the monarch.
"The woman who divided a nation," is how the Daily Mirror remembers her. It questions whether Thatcher merits the same style of funeral as Diana, Princess of Wales, and the Queen Mother.
A towering figure in postwar British and global politics, she is remembered in the world for her Cold War-era friendships with Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, as well as her role in shaping Britain's place in Europe and the short, sharp war she waged with Argentina over the disputed Falkland Islands.
At home, where many blame her for creating soaring unemployment as she reduced or eliminated many government subsidies to business and took on the unions, her legacy is highly polarized.
Thatcher's body was moved overnight from the Ritz Hotel, where she was staying when she died of a stroke aged 87, her spokeswoman confirmed. It's not known where it was taken.
Thatcher served from 1975 to 1990 as leader of the Conservative Party, and as prime minister for 11 years. She was called the "Iron Lady" for her personal and political toughness.
Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 17, the prime minister's office said Tuesday.
Queen Elizabeth II will be among the high profile guests, Buckingham Palace said Tuesday. Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg will also be there.
The service will be at St. Paul's Cathedral, with full military honors, followed by a private cremation, the British prime minister's office announced.
A diverse range of people and groups with connections to Thatcher will be invited, Downing Street said. The service will also be televised.
North Korea tells foreigners in South to take safety measures
North Korea issued its latest dispatch of ominous rhetoric Tuesday, telling foreigners in South Korea they should take steps to secure shelter or evacuation to protect themselves in the event of a conflict on the Korean Peninsula.
The unnerving message came as Japan set up missile defenses in Tokyo, and North Korean workers failed to turn up for work in the industrial complex jointly operated by North and South Korea.
In the statement published by state-run media Tuesday, the North's Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee reiterated accusations that Washington and Seoul were seeking to provoke a war with Pyongyang.
"Once a war is ignited on the peninsula, it will be an all-out war," the committee said, adding that North Korea doesn't want foreigners in South Korea to "fall victim" to a conflict.
It follows a warning from the North last week to diplomats in its capital city, Pyongyang, that if war were to break out, it would not be able to guarantee their safety.
But staff at the British Embassy in Seoul appeared unimpressed by the North's most recent attempt to rattle nerves in the region.
"We are not commenting on the specifics of every piece of rhetoric from North Korea," said Colin Gray, head of media affairs at the embassy. "Our travel advice remains unchanged. At this moment, we see no immediate threat to British citizens in South Korea."
Several Western countries said last week they had no plans to withdraw staff from Pyongyang after the North's warning to diplomats there.
And foreign visitors in Seoul didn't appear to be panicking Tuesday.
"I am concerned, but not enough not to make the trip," said Vicky Polashock, who was visiting from Atlanta.
She said that there was more tension than she'd noticed on previous visits to South Korea, but that the North's latest threat "doesn't heighten the danger any more than the last couple of weeks."
Kenya Inaugurates President Kenyatta
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has been sworn in at a ceremony with thousands of cheering, flag-waving spectators in the capital, Nairobi.
"And that I will protect and uphold, the sovereignty and integrity and dignity of the people of Kenya, so help me God." (cheering)
The event is the culmination of a peaceful March election in which Mr. Kenyatta defeated outgoing Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The president has pledged to work to improve the lives of all Kenyans.
Other African heads of state attended the ceremony Tuesday. Some Western nations sent ambassadors as they limit their contact with the new government because of pending charges at the International Criminal Court.
Mr. Kenyatta is facing charges of crimes against humanity for allegedly helping organize post-election ethnic violence in 2007 that killed more than 1,100 people and displaced 600,000 others. His trial is to begin in July.
Mr. Kenyatta's deputy, William Ruto, is set to go on trial at the ICC next month, in connection with the violence. Both men have denied the charges.
The president narrowly earned enough votes to avoid a run-off in the March 4th election. Mr. Odinga challenged the results, but Kenya's Supreme Court upheld the election.
LAUNCH OF WOMEN IN SPORTS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION INITIATIVE
In an effort to promote Gender Equity in Sports and Physical Education, the Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) will partner with the Gender Affairs Unit to launch: ‘Women and Sports and Physical Education initiative’ under the theme: “Women Taking Action in 2013 and Beyond”.
The CGA and Gender Affairs envision a holistic and equitable sport and physical activity system in which women and girls throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands will participate.
The main objectives are to:
- Raise awareness of the benefits of sport and physical activity for girls and women.
- Increase the number of girls and women involved in sports and physical activity as athletes, coaches, administrators and volunteers.
- Entrench equity as a norm in sports and physical activity in communities around the country.
- Recognize and award persons who have made outstanding contributions to sports in the Turks & Caicos Islands.
The Launch will take place in Providenciales on Wednesday, April 10th at the Graceway Sports Centre, Luker Lane, from 5pm -7pm and in Grand Turk on Thursday 11th April, at the Bohio Resort from 6pm -8pm.
Guest Speaker for this occasion is Ms. Chantelle Grant, Regional Development Officer, Caribbean & Americas SportWorks Capacity Support Program.
Shooting spree in Serbia kills 13 at close range
A gunman went on a shooting spree in the Serbian town of Velika Ivanca Tuesday, killing at least 13, including a small child, according to police chief Milorad Veljovic. The town lies roughly 25 miles south of the capital Belgrade.
The man in his 60s entered five different houses and shot six men, six women and one child dead.
The motive is not yet known, Veljovic said.
Serbia has a low murder rate, nearly on par with that of Sweden, according to the World Health Organization. With 1.2 intentional homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2010, Serbia's murder rate was one quarter of that of the United States.
Britain's Thatcher to be Buried April 17
Britain has announced that the funeral for former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher will take place next Wednesday (April 17).
The government has said Thatcher would receive a ceremonial funeral at St. Paul's Cathedral with military honors - a step short of a state funeral - in accordance with the wishes of her family. It said a private cremation would follow later.
The former British prime minister died Monday at the age of 87 following a stroke. The outspoken Thatcher led the Conservative Party to three election victories from 1979 to 1990, the longest continuous period in office by a British prime minister since the early 19th century.
U.S. President Barack Obama and other leaders around the world have have paying tribute to Thatcher, known was the "Iron Lady" for her personal and political toughness.
Thatcher was a stern conservative who broke the power of British unions, eliminated many government subsidies and enabled a far greater role for private enterprise.
She led Britain through its 1982 war with Argentina over the Falkland Islands, strongly opposed European integration and built a close "special relationship" with U.S. President Ronald Reagan that helped spur the downfall of Soviet communism.
Grand Turk Cruise Center Announces Re-opening Date
A breath of life will return to the nation’s capital for many businesses and it couldn’t come any sooner.
Grand Turk’s economy has been suffering as a result of the recent Cruise ship cancellations due to an outbreak of gastroenteritis at the cruise port, which is owned by the Carnival Corporation.
Here’s Damen Boviewith details.
The cruise port has been hosting six to eight ship arrivals per week. The ships each carry between 2,500 and 3,500 passengers and it is believed that 90 percent of the passengers disembark the ship and visit the welcome centre. Approximately 20 percent of the passengers take taxis to visit other sites on the capital island.
But it has been three weeks since cruise ships have cancelled through fear of passengers disembarking on the island, contracting the virus, although the health department and tourist board have issued press releases describing their efforts in attempting to isolate and contain the outbreak which is now under control.
The TCI government relies on Carnival’s head tax to help meet its budgetary obligations with over $3 million in annual receipts coming from passengers arrivals. It is estimated that the economic impact for Grand Turk is some $250,000 per day in activity.
The cruise port has been hosting six to eight ship arrivals per week. The ships each carry between 2,500 and 3,500 passengers and it is believed that 90 percent of the passengers disembark the ship and visit the welcome centre. Approximately 20 percent of the passengers take taxis to visit other sites on the capital island.
But in a press release today, the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board is pleased to announce that cruise ship calls to the Grand Turk Cruise Center will commence on April 8th, 2013The Board which has been working in close collaboration with all the relevant stakeholders as well as the local public health department is confident that all measures have been taken to ensure the health and safety of our guests.
The cruise sector which accounts for a majority of visitors to the Turks & Caicos Islands is a vital cog in the tourism industry of Grand Turk and the Board is cognizant of the impact that the cancellation of cruise ship visits may have exerted on the businesses and residents of the Island.
Commenting, Mr. Ralph Higgs, Director of the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board, said “Throughout this situation, we continued an open dialogue with the most senior executives involved in the ports operation. We understand the severity of the impact of the cancellation of cruise ship visits not only to the local business community of Grand Turk but to those guests who have selected to visit our shores via cruise line. Moving forward, the Government feels confident that all the appropriate measures are in place and that Grand Turk will continue to provide the vacation opportunity of a lifetime to our visiting guests.”
Carnival Corporation has faced a number of unfortunate incidents over the past two years. In December 2011, the Costa Concordia capsized in the Mediterranean, while just a few months ago an engine failure resulted in one its cruise ships losing all power in the Gulf of Mexico. Carnival has a number of ports of call throughout the Caribbean and is developing attractions in the Dominican Republic; however, the Grand Turk cruise centre has enjoyed a steady increase over the years since its opening in 2004.
This is Damen Boviefor RTC News.